To Live. To Learn. To Life. SMDedicated to the never-ending pursuit of wisdom.

January 2014

Welcome

Welcome to the Minding What Matters community of learners. Minding What Matters the newsletter developed by Dakhari Psychological Services, LLC to deliver to you information relevant to mental and behavioral health, education, wellness, family, and community interests. We are dedicated to becoming a valued first resource for consumers and professionals in the health and well-being of our communities. Welcome! We're glad you are here.

Giving.

The Gift That Gives Back!

We hope that you enjoyed the holiday season and that your New Year is starting off well! Here at Dakhari Psychological Services, LLC we've been talking a lot about the giving spirit. In fact, we have started our Winter 2014 community outreach effort and it focuses on supporting homeless teenagers. Be on the lookout for our Teens for Jeans newsletter announcement within the next several days. As you enjoy reading this edition we invite you to consider the many benefits of giving....both for the giver and the givee!!

"It is one of the beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely help another without helping himself."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson,

Dictionary.com defines giving as follows: to present voluntarily and without expecting compensation. The simple act of giving of one's time, talent or treasure has been shown to have significant physical and mental health benefits. Giving has been shown to benefit children, adolescents and adults.

Giving Across the Life-Span

For children and adolescents, philanthropy will have an impact for the rest of their lives. Studies have shown that those children who have the opportunity to serve others have access to an increased number of Developmental Assets-Building Blocks of healthy development that help young people grow up healthy, caring, and responsible. The opportunity to serve others by giving of one's time, talent or treasure increases the likelihood that children will have access to positive adult role models, the opportunity to engage in creative activities and programs geared toward their age group and be a member of a religious community. Children with the opportunity to serve others grow to be caring individuals with interpersonal competence, to be a person who supports equality and social justice...and is one who is more likely to read for pleasure. There are even more benefits than these. Children with access to greater numbers of developmental assets are more likely later to engage in prosocial and adaptive behaviors such as exhibiting leadership qualities, talking care of their health and succeeding in school. They are also less likely to engage in antisocial and maladaptive behaviors such as engaging in illicit drug use and violence.

Children and adolescents who become accustomed to giving of their time, talent and treasure are very likely to continue this behavior into adulthood. These are the children born of the resurgence of community service and the inception of service learning. Giving of themselves feels good and begets more giving. This giving is often continued throughout their lives.

Adults benefit from giving as well. Similar to the results found with adolescents and children, research has shown that adults who give of their own time, talent and treasure may gain more from the experience than they give away. There is a strong positive correlation among both philanthropy and altruism and longevity, happiness and improved mental health. Those who give are less stressed, anxious and depressed. We know stress causes many detrimental effects on our immune and cardiovascular systems. Altruism, by its inverse relationship with stress, is linked to health benefits. Heard of the "runners' high"? How about the "givers' high"? Research demonstrated that physiological changes occur after the act of giving resulting in what has been experienced by some to be a "high", by others as feeling stronger and more energetic, by feelings of warmth, feeling calmer and less depressed, by a sense of greater self-worth and by experiencing fewer aches and pains. Philanthropic behavior makes people feel good and feel good about themselves and a positive self-concept is a major component of psychological health.

Giving is beneficial across the lifespan-and may even lengthen one's lifespan. Whether because of the health benefits or some other variable, giving is related to lower mortality rates among aging individuals. This relationship holds when pre-existing health conditions are taken into account.

A Prescription for Giving

Philanthropy has shown to be essential in terms of psychological and physical health and longevity. By engaging in philanthropic behaviors a positive self-view is achieved, and of course, a positive self-view is a cornerstone of mental health. Engaging in philanthropic behaviors helps the immune and cardiovascular systems. Philanthropy has shown to benefit all age groups.

From a public health perspective, one that aims to improve and protect community health, it seems it would make sense to encourage giving-and we do. Schools, religious institutions and community groups have a long history of encouraging philanthropy. Might we see such encouragement from health professionals as well? Guess why the focus of this newsletter is on giving.

The spot for words of wisdom, pick-me-ups, funny stories, and quotable quotes.

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children...to leave the world a better place...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."

We trust that you will find the information and resources we have offered to be a benefit. Please be advised that while Dakhari Psychological Services, LLC works with other professionals to help offer you helpful services that we are not responsible for the content of their services. Please note that all material on this website is provided for your information only and may not be construed as medical, academic, or otherwise personal advise or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this information. We urge readers to consult appropriate professionals on any matters relating to their health and well-being. The information and opinions expressed here are believed to be accurate, based on the best judgement available to the authors, and readers who fail to consult with appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries. In addition, the information and opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of every contributor to Minding What Matters and we welcome the exchange of different viewpoints.